From our Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

Welcome to Term 2. There is little doubt that we have hit the ground running.

Mother’s Day

This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. This year will be the first time I won’t be able to celebrate this important day with my own mum who passed away last November. It has provided me with the opportunity, over this past week to reflect on the significant role and contribution she has made to my life. I found myself asking the question to what degree has she helped shape the person I am today? The conclusion reached was that her contribution can not be quantified. All I know is that it has been immense and I miss her.

In Catholic tradition, the month of May is dedicated to Mary. Chosen by God above all other women, Mary’s faith and obedience paved the way for Christ’s mission and the mission of the Church to be born and flourish. Her example teaches us faith, obedience, humility and most of all, how to love.

It was Pope John Paul II who said: “From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God.”

This Sunday is a time to give thanks for and honour our mothers and mother figures for their dedication and devotion, their selflessness and their unconditional love. May they find strength to continue their pivotal role in developing their sons and daughters to become the best versions of themselves in everything they undertake.

A Prayer for Mothers

Lord Jesus Christ, you chose to put yourself—tiny, needy and helpless—into the nurturing and watchful hands of a human mother. Since then, every act of mothering, both physical and spiritual, in every time and every corner of the world recollects Mary’s. Inspired by this example, we, too, honour our mothers and mother figures today. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers and nurturers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.

Grant that we, their sons and daughters, honour them always with a spirit of profound respect.

We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

School Review

In the previous edition of this publication, I presented an overview of the purpose and structure of the School Review currently being undertaken. A large body of work occurred, by means of a formative review, in Term 1. We are now charged with the significant responsibility of setting our sights on the next four years and strategically planning our continued school improvement agenda. The Catholic Identity of the College is a considerable driver of who we are, what that change is to be and how we go about effecting that change. The domains identified as key drivers in this area of Catholic Identity include: Recontextualising Dialogical Communities, High Quality Religious Education and Parish/School Partnerships. The findings of the review include:

St. Peter’s College leaders are committed to enhancing the Catholic Identity of the school.
The school has articulated that the diversity of its student population and is aware of the need to promote post critical belief.
St. Peter’s College has whole school structures that enable students and teachers to reflect and pray. Many of these are recontextualising.
While ECSI, CIRE and Catholic Culture data is shared with staff it is not used by them to inform their decisions in planning for student learning.
Teaching staff are supported to complete and maintain accreditation.
Opportunities to develop theological knowledge is provided regularly for staff.
Many staff connect the social justice work of the school to the teachings of Jesus.
Religious Education teachers develop the concepts of Catholic Social Teaching by making connections between these and the daily lives of students.
The charism of St. Peter is evident in many areas of the school.
The Religious Education staff of St. Peter’s College align student learning with “To Live in Christ Jesus” and the curriculum informs planning.
The charism of each House is evident in the development of the school’s Catholic Identity.
St. Peter’s College leaders ensure there are opportunities for their Parish Priests to engage with the school community.
The college and the feeder parishes have a strong relationship and continue to build opportunities for authentic connection.
The school offers staff and student prayer opportunities.
Relationships with the Solomon Islands and Kimbe are nurtured by the school as part of the outreach work fostered through Catholic Social Teaching.

The Catholic Identity and Religious Education component of the review concluded the following as opportunities for further success:

Develop teachers’ understanding and use of ‘To Live in Christ Jesus’ and the Sexuality in the Catholic School resource with a view to designing the progression of learning in Religious Education consistently across the College.
Explicitly make meaningful links between Catholic Social Teaching in all curriculum areas and aspects of school life.

Throughout this year the College will be working through these recommendations to determine what key strategies. measures of success and actions will be considered as we continue to strive to be a “best practice” Catholic secondary college.

Wishing all a prosperous week ahead.

Mr Chris Black

Principal